Condition responsive system



Feb. 8, 1944- s. w. SPRENGMER ETAL 2,341,297

CONDITION RESPONS IVE SYSTEM Filed June 18, 1941 Fig.1.

Ihventors: G eor'ge W Spr'enQeY",

DOTWald G. Camero Their Attorney.

Patented Feb. 8, 1944 CONDITION BESPONSIVE SYSTEM George W. Sprenger andDonald G. Cameron,

Lynn, Mass, assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of NewYork Application June 18, 1941, Serial No. 398,632

20 Claims.

This invention relates to condition responsive systems, particularlyselective multi-condition responsive systems wherein the continuedoperation of a dual condition changing apparatus to regulate onecondition is made dependent upon the establishment of anotherpredetermined condition during a predetermined time interval.

While not necessarily limited thereto, the invention is particularlyadapted for use in the automatic operation of burners under thermostaticor otherautomatic control.

The principal object is to provide an improved selective conditionresponsive-system and apparatus having an axially movable rotatabletiming control member provided with selective control means elTectivewhen the timed rotation of said member is stopped in different axialpositions for selectively controlling the operation of a conditionchanging device.

Another object is to control the axial movement of the rotary timingcontrol member selectively in response to the establishment andnonestablishment of a predetermined condition during a limited timedrotation of said member to selectively control a timing device providedfor effecting rotary movement of said member and a relay provided forcontrolling a condition changing apparatus. r

A further object is to provide a selective multicondition responsivesystem and apparatus of an improved axially movable combined selectiveand rotary timing typethat is simple in construction and reliable inoperation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in thefollowing description -motor H is energized so as to supply a spark atthe electrodes l3 to ignite the combustible mixture supplied by theburner mechanism in and thereby establish combustion. The burner motor Hand ignition apparatus 12 are energized from the electric supply linesLl, L2 whenever the burner relay I4 is closed. The eneigization of relayII is controlled by the operation of control switch ii. The movableswitch contact l5a is carried on a flexible member 20 supported at itsupper end so as to bias the contact a away from contact l5b. In this waythe switch 15 is biased open.

The closure of the burner operation control switch I5 is controlled by amovable member 2| which is mounted for both rotary and axial move ment.In the preferred form illustrated, the

movable member 2| is in the form of a cylinder having the stub shafts 22and 23 rotatably and slldably mounted in suitable bearings 24 and 25.The cylinder 2| is provided with an open recess or slot 28 into whichthe finger 29 carried on the flexible member'Ztl is adapted to drop whenthe member 2! is in a predetermined axial position indicated by dottedline C in which the rocess or slot 28 is in axial alignment with thefinger 29 and is in either of the two angular positions indicated by thedotted lines A and B in the drawing. Thus whenever the flnger.28 dropsinto the open recess or slot 28, the operation control switch I5 isopened. The burner operation control switch i5, however, is closed whenthe movable member 2| is rotated from angular positions A and B or movedaxially from axial position C so that finger 29 no longer drops into therecess or slot 28.

The movable member 2| is rotated by an electrically operated timingmotor 3| which is connected to rotate member 2i preferably through asuitable speed reducing gearing 32 in the direction indicated by thearrow. The gearing 32 permits axial movement of the member 2|.

The movable member 2| is biased to the axial position C in which it isshown by the biasing spring 35 which is mounted upon a suitable support35 with the pointed-end of spring 35 engaging the central depression 31formed in the end of the stub shaft 22 so as to exert a force tending tobias the member 2| for movement in an axial direction to position C.

The member 2| is moved in the opposite direction against the biasingspring 35 to an axial position indicated by the dotted line D by meansof an arm III which operates against the end of the stub shaft 23 and isactuated by any suitable condition responsive means responsive to theestablishment of a predetermined condition such,

end of the shaft 23 when combustion is established. v I

The switch 45 is similar in construction to the switch I! and isprovided with a finger 55 which drops into the open recess of slot 41formed in member 2| in angular position B and axial position C to permitthe contacts of switch 45 to.sep arate in accordance with their bias.Switch 55 also is of similar construction to switch l5 and is providedwith a finger SG-Which drops selec-- tively into the open recesses orslots 51 in angu lar position B and 53 in angular position A to permitthe contacts of switch 55 to open in accordance with their bias. Theslot 58 is axially elongated so that upon axial movement of the member2| to axial position D bythe combustion responsive device 4|, finger 48will drop into slot 58 in angular position A and thereby permit switch45 to open.

' Operation As shown the various parts of the improved control systemand apparatus 01' the. present invention are in their relative positionswhich they will occupy when the oil burner i8 is not in operation.Operation of the improved control to start burner operation is effectedupon closure of a master control switch 88 which may be a roomthermostat, a boiler thermostat, a pressure switch or any otherautomatic switch responsive to a predetermined condition to becontrolled by operation of the burner i0. Upon closure of master switch80 an energizing circuit for the operating winding 8| of the timingcontrol motor 8| is established. This circuit extends from the lowvoltage secondary of the transformer 82, the primary or which isenergized directly from the supply lines Ll, L2, through the conductor58, motor winding 8|, conductor 84, 85, switch 45, which is failure ofthe burner III to establish combustion has been remedied, the normallyopen restart push button 10 is operated to its closed position. Thisenergizes the operating winding 8| of the timing motor 8| directly fromthe secondary transformer 82 through the conductors 58, 84, ll,

closed since finger 48 is not in either slots 41 or I 58. conductor 55,the master switch 88 and conductor 81. As a result motor 8| starts torotate the movable member 2| from its angular position A in thecounterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow. As a result finger29 is raised out of the slot 28 so as to close the contacts of switch Ithereby energizing the burner relay I4, the circuit extending from thesecondary of the transformer 82 through conductors 88 and 88, switch l5in its closed position, the winding of relay i4, conductor 88, themaster switch 80, and conductor 81. As a result, relay l4 closes itscontacts and completes the circuit from supply lines L1, L2 tocorrespondingly energize the burner motor and the ignition apparatus l2to produce a spark between the ignition electrodes is.

. Under these conditions combustion should occur upon efiectiveoperation of the burner which is a prerequisite condition to continuingthe operation of the burner to regulate the other condition to which themaster switch is responsive after the timed rotation of the axiallymovable rotating control member 2| is stopped.

The rotation of movable member 2| in the counterclockwise direction asJust described also raises finger 58 out of the slot 58 thereby closingswitch 55 which shunts the master switch 50 and switch 45. This insuresthatthe energizing circuit of the timing motor 3| is maintained closeduntil switch 55 is reopened upon rotation of member 2| to eitherposition B or A.

Let us assume that for some unexplained reason combustion is notestablished upon the energizetion oi. the burner motor II and ignitionapparatus l2 in the manner just described. Under these conditions, thetiming motor 3| will continue rotation of the movable member 2| untilthe angular position indicated by the dotted line B is reached.Thereupon finger 28 drops into slot 28 and shortly thereafter finger 48.drops into slot 41 and finger 55 drops into slot 51. Thus the switchesI5, 45, and 55 are all opened and thereby prevent further energizationof the burner motor H and also the timing motor 8| after the end 0! thepredetermined time required for timing motor 3| to rotate member 2| fromits angular position A to its angular position 13.

. To restart the equipment after the cause of the I2, and 61. Thereuponthe movable member 2| is rotated from its angular position B through itsangular position A, thereby closing switches I5, 45, and 55 in themanner previously described. Thereupon the restart push button may bereleased and the timing motor 8| will continue to rotate the movablemember 2| from position A to position B.

In case combustion is successfully established by the burner I0 any timeduring the period of rotation of the movable member 2| from its angu-'lar position A to its angular position B then the combustion responsivedevice 4| will respond to this establishment of combustion and operatethe lever 40 against the end of the stub shaft 23. As a result themovable member 2| is moved axially from position 0 to position D'againstthe bias of the spring 35 thereby moving the slot 28 out of axialalignment with the finger 28,.the slot 4'! out of axial alignment withthe finger 46 and the slot 51 out of axial alignment with the finger 58.This axial movement of movable member 2| also enables the spring fingerto enter the segmental slot'18 formed in the periphery of the stub shaft22 so as to hold the member 2| in the axial position D to which it isoperated by the combustion responsivedevice 4| until the angularposition B is reached. Thereupon the spring finger I5 is forced out ofthe slot 16 so as to permit the biasing spring 85 to return the movablemember 2| to its initial axial position unless the arm 48 is 1 stilloperated against the stub shaft 28 due to the response of the combustionresponsive device 4| when position B is reached.

with combustion successfully established during the rotation of movablemember 2| from it angular position A to its angular position B, thecombustion responsive device 4| will maintain the member 2| in its axialposition indicated by the dotted line D. As a result fingers 48 and 56both will drop into the elongated slot 58 when the member 2| is rotatedinto its angular position A. This opens switches and to deenergize thestarting motor 8| and thereby stop further rotation of the member 2|.The operation control switch I5, however, remains closed in .angularposition A and axial position D. This leaves the energization of relay|4 under the control of the master control switch 88 and any othersafety switches that may have been included in the relay circuit. As aresult relay l4 remains energized as to reclose the switch 45. At thesame timgt' finger 29 drops into recess 28 so as to reope switch I5,while finger 58 slides in slot 58 so as his way all parts maintainswitch 55 open. I of the control equipment initial position in which tdrawing. 1

Thus in the improved selective control system etlimed to their shown inthe not only is mounted for both rotary and axial movement, but also isprovided with means for the three switches I5, 45 and 55 upon axialmovement of the member 2| from its axial position D to its axialposition with the member 2| in angular position A. In this predeterminedselective operation, switch If: is operated from the closed to the openposition, switch 45 is operated from the open to the closed position,while switch 55 is maintained in the open position.

Upon rotation of member 2| in axial position C from its angular positionA to its angular position B, a diiferent selective operation of theswitches results. The switch I5 is first closed upon rotation of member2| from angular position A and is reopened when angular position B isreached. Switch 45 is maintained closed upon rotation from angularposition A until angular position 315 reached. Switch 55 is firstoperated from the open position to the closed position upon rotationfrom angular position A, but is reopened when angular position B isreached.

A still different selective operation of the tion of the pump 80produces a pressure in the pipe 83, then the pressure responsive device85 responds to operate the arm 40a against the end 'eifecting apredetermined selective operation of switches Occurs in case member 2|is rotated in axial position D. In this case, switch I5 is maintainedclosed during the entire revolution of.

member 2| while both switches and are maintained closed in all angularpositions of member 2| except position A. Thus the improved selectivecircuit controlling combination enables the switch l5 to control thestarting and stopping of the burner It! or other condition changingapparatus through the agency of the relay l4 while the pair of switches45 and 55 cooperate to control the stopping of the timing motor 8| withthe movable member 2| in either its angular position A depending uponthe occurrence of axial movement of the member 2| from its position C toits position D during the rotary movement of member 2|. With thisimproved control combination, the condition responsive master switch 50is effective only to start operation of the timing device 3| while thestopping of the timing device always is under the selective control ofthe pair of switches 45 and 55.

In the modification as shown in Fig. 2, the improved control system andapparatus .of the present invention is shown schematically applied tothe control of a pumplng'control system in which a float switchcorresponds in its master control function to the room thermostat and afluid pressure switch corresponds in its control function to the flamedetector of the oil burner control system previously described. In thiscase the electrlc motor drives a pump 80 instead of an oil burner. Thepump 50 draws fluid from a suitable supply source 8| and supplies thefluid under pressure into a tank 82 from which the fluid flows throughthe outlet pipe 84. A float switch 85 is responsive to the level of thefluid in the pressure tank 82 and a pressure responsive device 85 isresponsive to the pressure of the fluid supplied from the pump 80.

of the stub shaft 23 so'as to produce axial movement of the member 2| tothe right in a manner corresponding to the operation of the flamedetector thermostat described in Fig. 1. This will result indeenergizing the starting motor 3| after the rotation of member 2| toits angular position A with, however, contact l5 remaining closed tomaintain relay |4 energized under the control of the float switch.Consequently, when the liquid level in tank I8 rises sufliclently toopen the contacts of the float switch, relay I4 is deenergized therebystopping further operation of the motor driven pump.

In case the operation of pump after the initial energization of motor isfor some reason, as for example lack of fluid in the supply source 8|,unable to produce a pressure in pipe 53 to which the pressure responsivedevice can respond, then there will be no axial movement of the member2| t0 the right. As a result the timing motor 3| will continue rotationof member 2| until the angular position Bis reached in which all of thecontacts I5, 45, 55 are opened just as in case of flame failure aspreviously described. However, when the failure of fluid in tank 8| hasbeen corrected then restarting is acccmplished by closing the restartbutton Ill in exactly the same way as described in connection with theburner control.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in a preferredform and also a modified form, it will be apparent that various changesmay be made in the apparatus shown. For example, it direct action of thecondition responsive device on the stub shaft 23 is not desired, it willbe apparent that suitable relay means such as an electromagnetcontrolled by the combustion responsive device may be employed, ifdesired.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by I Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In combination, condition control means ineluding a movable membermounted for both ro- 0 a condition responsive device for axially movingsaid member, and means selectively responsive to rotary and axialmovement of said member for stopping said timing device upon rotation ofsaid member in different axial positions to correspondingly differentangular positions.

2. In combination, condition control means including a movable cammember mounted for both rotary and axial movements, means including atiming device for rotating said member, means for starting said timingdevice, means including a condition responsive device for axially movingsaid member, and means including a pair of cam operated control elementsselectively responsive to both rotary and axial movement of said cammember for stopping said timing device upon rotation of said member intwo different axial positions to correspondingly diflerent angularpositions.

3. In combination, a movable member having difierent movements, meansincluding a timin device for causing one of said movements, means forstarting said timing device, means including a condition responsivedevice for causing another of said movements, and means selectivelyresponsive to different combinations of said movements dill for stoppingsaid timing device upon movement of said member to different positions.

4. In combination, a movable member mounted for both rotary and axialmovement, means including a timing device for causing one oi saidmovements, means for starting said timing device, means including acondition responsive device for causing the other of said movements, andmeans selectively responsive to different combinations of said movementsfor stopping said timing device upon movement of said member todifierent angular and axial positions.

5. In combination, condition control means including a movable membermounted for both rotary and axial movement,. means biasing said memberfor axial movement in a predetermined direction, means including acondition responsive device for axially moving said member in theoppos'ite direction, means rendered efiective upon. axial movement ofsaid member in said other direction for rendering said biasing meansineffective during a predetermined rotation of said member, meansincluding a timing device for rotating said member, and meansselectively responsive at the end of said predetermined rotation to theaxial position oi; said member for selectively controlling said timingdevice.

6. In combination, a plurality of switches, means including a movablemember mounted for both rotary and axial movement and provided withmeans for selectively controlling said switches, means including anelectrically operated timing device for rotating said member, meansincluding one of said switches and a condition responsive switch forenergizing said timing device, means including another of said switchesfor independently maintaining said timing device energized for aninternal dependent upon both rotary and axial movement of said movablemember, means including a condition responsive device for axially movingsaid member, and electroresponsive means having the energization anddeenergization thereof selectively controlled by another one of saidswitches responsive to both rotary and axial movement of said member.

7. In combination, condition changing means, control means thereforincluding a movable member mounted for both rotary and axial movements,means biasing said member to a predetermined axial position,meansincluding a timing device'for rotating said member, means including acondition responsive device responsive to a condition established uponeffective operation of said condition changing means for axially movingsaid-member to a diflerent axial position, and means selectivelyresponsive to rotary and axial movement 01' said member for renderingsaid condition changing means ineffective with said member in saidbiased axial position and in either of two rotary positions and forrendering said condition changing means effective with said movablemember in all other rotary and axial positions, and means selectivelyresponsive to rotary and axial movement oi said member for stopping saidtiming device with said member in either of said rotary positions.

8. In combination, a circuit control switch. a movable member mountedfor both rotary and axial movement and provided with means for openingsaid switch only with said member in a predetermined axial position andin either of two rotary positions, means including a timing device forrotating said member, means including a con- -responsive device forstarting said timin j into operation, means including a second saidmember to another axial position during the rotation thereoi, and meansselectively responsive to rotary and axial movement of said member forstopping operation of said timing device with said movable member ineach of said two rotary positions.

9. In combination, a circuit control switch, a movable member mountedfor both rotary and axial movement and provided with means for openingsaid switch with said member in a predetermined rotary and axialposition, means including a timing device for rotating said member fromsaid position, condition responsive means for starting said timingdevice into operation, means including a condition responsive device foraxially moving said member during rotation I thereof, and meansselectively responsive to rotary and axial movement of said member forstopping operation of said timing device upon a partial revolution ofsaid member in the absence of axial movement thereof during said partialrevolution and upon a complete revolution of said member when axialmovement thereof occurs during said partial revolution.

10. In combination, a burner circuit control switch, a movable membermounted for both rotary and axial movement and having means selectivelyresponsive to both said movements for selectively controlling theclosing and opening of said switch, means including a timing device forrotating said member to close said switch for a limited time, conditionresponsive means for starting said timing device into operation, meansincluding a combustion responsive device for axially moving said memberduring said limited time to maintain said burner switch closedthereafter, and means selectively responsive to rotary and axialmovement of said member for limiting the time ofoperation of said timingdevice.

11. In combination, a movable control element having an operating membermounted for both rotary and axial movement, means for biasin said memberto a predetermined axial position, said member having means foroperating said control element to one position during a predeterminedpart oi each revolution of said operating member in said predeterminedaxial position and to another position during the remainder of eachrevolution of said member in said axial position, means including atiming device for rotating said member, means for starting said timingdevice, means including a condition responsive device for axially movingsaid member against its bias from said predetermined axial position toanother axial position, means effective upon axial movement 01' saidmember to said other axial position for maintaining said member in saidother axial position during said predetermined part of each revolutionof said member, and means responsive to rotary and axial movements ofsaid member for stopping operation of said timing device upon a partialrevolution of said movable member in said predetermined axial positionand upon a complete revolution of said member when axial movement ofsaid member to said other axial position occurs during said partialrevolution of said member.

12. In combination, control means including a plurality oi switches.means including a member mounted for both rotary and axial movement andprovided with cam means for selectively opening and closing saidswitches in diiIerent angular and axial positions oi said member, meansincluding a timing motor under the control oi a pair of said switchesfor rotating said member, means for eluding a condition responsivedevice for axially moving said member against its bias to a second axialposition, latching means for maintaining said member in said secondaxial position against its bias during a predetermined rotary" movementof said member, means including a timing device for rotating saidmember, means for starting said timing device, and cam operated controlmeans responsive to both rotary and axial movement of said cam memberfor stopping operation of said timing device with said cam member. inone angular position upon rotation of said member in said one. axialposition and forstopping operation of said timing device with said cammember in a diilferent angular position upon rotation ofsaid member insaid second axial position.

14. In combination, a plurality of switches having a movable operatingmember mounted for both rotary and axial movement and provided withmeans for effecting a predetermined selective operation of saidvswitches upon rotation of said member in one axial position and adiflerent selective operation of said switches upon rotation of saidmember in a second axial position, means including an electric motorenergized under the selective control of a pair of said switches forrotating said operating member to different an ular positions, and meansincluding a condition responsive device for axially moving said memberfrom said one axial position to said second axial position. 1

15. In combination, a selective circuit controlling device having atleast three switches. a movable operating member therefor mounted forboth rotary and axial movement and provided with means for eflecting apredetermined selective operation of said switches uponaxial'movement'of said member from one axial position to a second axialposition with said member in a predetermined angular position anddifferent selective operations of said switches upon rotation of saidmember in each of said axial positions, means for biasing said member tomove from said one axial position to said second axial position, meansincluding an electric motor energized under the control of a pair ofsaid switches for rotating said member, and means including a conditionresponsive device for axially moving said member against its bias.

18. In combination, a selective circuit controlling device having atleast three switches. a movincluding a condition responsive device foraxially moving said member. a

'17. A selective circuit controlling device hav ing at least threeswitches and a movable operating member for said switches mounted forboth rotary and axial movement and provided with means for efiecting apredetermined selective op eration of said switches upon a predeterminedaxial movement of said member and difierent selective operations of saidswitches upon rotation of said member in difierent axial positions.

18. In combination, means having a predetermined condition establishedupon effective operation thereof, an axially able operating membertherefor mounted for both rotary and axial-movement and provided withmeans for eflecting a predetermined selective operation of said switchesupon a predetermined axial movement of said member and differ- ,entselective operations of said switches upon rotation of said member indiilerent axial positions, means under the control of a pair of saidswitches for rotating said member, and means movable rotating timingcontrol member having means for stopping rotation thereof after alimited angular movement and provided with means effective upon rotationof said member in one axial position for starting and subsequentlystopping operation of said condition changing means during said limitedangular movement and eflective in another axial position of said memberfor continuing the operation of said condition changing means after therotation of said member has stopped, and a device responsive to theestablishment of said predetermined condition during said limitedangular movement for axially moving said member from said one axialposition to said other axial position.

19. In combination, a condition changing meanshavlng a predeterminedcondition established upon efiective operation thereof, an axiallymovable rotating timing control member biased to one axial position andhaving means for stopping rotation thereof after a limited angularmovement and provided with selective control means responsive to bothrotary and axial movement of said member for selectively operating saidcondition changing means only during said limited angular movement insaid one axial p0sition and continuing the operation of said means afterthe rotation of said member has stopped in another axial position, and adevice responsive means operable for regulating one condition and,

having another condition established upon eiiective operation thereof, acombined timing and selective control member mounted for both rotary andaxial movement and provided with means dependent upon the axial positionof said member for selectively operating said condition changing meansduring and after a limited timed rotation of said member, meansincluding a control device responsive to said one condition and having atiming device controlled thereby for eflecting a limited timed rotationof said member in one axial position to operate said condition changingmeans during said limited timed rotation of said member, and meansincluding a control device responsive to the establishment of said othercondition for axially moving said member from said one axial position toanother axial position to continue operation 'of said condition changingmeans after said limited timed rotation of said member.

' GEORGE W. SPR-ENGER.

DONALD G. CAMERDN.

a condition changing 4 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION February 8, 191 1Patent No. 2,5LL1,297.'

GEORGE w. SPRENGER, ET AL t error eppears in the printed specificationtent requiring correction as follows: Page L first d -interval; and thatthe said Letion therein that the same may It is hereby certified the ofthe above numbered pa column, line 58, for "internal" rea d with thiscorrect ters Patent should be rea conform to the record of in the PatentOffice. Signed and sealed this A. D. 19th.

the case 25th day of April,

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,5u1,297. February a, 19m.

GEORGE w. SPRENGER,ET AL It is hereby certified that error eppears inthe printed specification of the above numbered patent requiringcorrection as follows; Page 1+, first column, line 58', for "internal"read -interval; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthis correction therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of April, A. D. 19%.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

